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FROM FASHION SHOW TO FISH FRY That's right folks.....the Hammond Garden Club never let's grass grow under their feet! In March we were showing everyone the beautiful clothes for Easter and Spring and in October we were feeding them wonderful fried fish by Buie's Magnolia Fundraising, picked up at Cate Square Park or in some cases delivered right to your door! Pat Graves who is one of HGC's newest members that has a downtown office herself, made a wagon all decorated with flowers and a sign transporting some of her deliveries that she traipsed down the sidewalks to the doors of many offices in the middle of Hammond. Linda Ryan came back a second time to make deliveries from her car since some of them were in Ponchatoula. There were others also, (myself included that had to be delivered by vehicle); we'll do almost anything to make money for our fundraisers which this time is towards a scholarship to a deserving student at SLU. What a beautiful day we had to work.....and work we did. There were those on the food line putting five big pieces of golden fried catfish, fries, delicious cole slaw and hush puppies with just a touch of suga' that made them the perfect accompaniment, into the plates. Others added the silverware (plastic) and ketchup and closed them up, lastly those that packaged them into bags three at a time. Another worker that stood ready to take tickets from those picking up at the park and from those passerbys that smelled the wonderful aroma of that fish and fries wafting through the park that came by and paid cash for a terrific lunch that they just happened upon because they took a walk through the park on their lunch hour. What a wonderful day.....a very tiring one, but wonderful just the same since we knew it would be a good fundraiser amount for the scholarship. I guess I have gotten ahead of myself but thought you might like to know the best news first. Before the fish fry we did have our October meeting that was held at the home of Mrs. Leona Ball. A little history on Mrs. Ball.....she is Linda Ryan's Mom and is 92 years young, has taken in a flood victim that is also in her nineties, (they play Scrabble by their own rules every day), and on this day she hosted our garden club meeting at her home! Sure hope I have her get up and go when I grow up. The meeting was a general news meeting and a bring your own supplies if you want to make a holiday decoration with Linda Ryan and her sister Lavonne helping out. Lavonne made a fall tree to be used anytime from now till before Christmas out of a tomato cage, (picture attached). It was absolutely beautiful and the decorations all over the house were done by Linda, Lavonne and I think they had several leprechauns helping. I must say the orange, brown and yellow leaves, the rust colored ginger that decorated each table made you feel like you were on the East coast when at this time of year the fall coloring is spectacular! Maine was brought to Hammond that day! I'll bet you also didn't know that October 12, the day of the meeting, was "Gumbo Day"! It's not national, but it is in Louisiana! However on that day I volunteered to cook gumbo and potato salad for the club! Ooooh I've never received so many compliments! Everyone seemed to enjoy it all and I loved doing it! Love, love, love cooking and everyone enjoying the fruits of my labor! (I was even asked if I would make some to sell)! Thanks to Juanita Pearson my sister and Karen Nelson, (close enough to be my sister) for their help, especially in peeling 10 lbs. of potatoes and 3 dozen eggs! On with the meeting.....naturally our President Carolyn Schwebel opened and called on our Chaplain Mary Thornhill to open with a prayer and we all stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance (me while stirring the pot of gumbo with my hand over my heart)! Carolyn then called on Joy Peterson to announce the winner of the Garden of the Month who was Mike and Judy Miller at 1102 Rue de la Paix which I'm told was absolutely gorgeous and Phyllis diBenedetto Treasurer for the treasurer's report. Naturally the next thing brought up was the Fish Fry asking for all that could attend because help will be needed to make this event a success. Many raised their hands and we did have enough members there helping to serve, box and deliver. There was much discussion about the coming holiday season and all the work that usually ensues. Decorating, eating, parade, eating, holiday trimming and eating!!! Carolyn also asked about those attending the District VI meeting on October 25 at Juliana's Event Center. We will be donating a "Southern Belle" necklace by Phyllis Mire for their auction. I was then called in from the kitchen to report on the Blue Star Highway Marker, a sign that is dedicated to the honor and memory of all veterans. It will be on Veteran's Day November 11 at 3:30 PM. Members of all branches of the service will be there with flags honoring their branch, the Color Guard from Ponchatoula High School led by Lt. Col Mauery, representatives from the police and fire departments, Mayor Panepinto, District VI Director Kyle Martin, Jeanette Gatzman LGCF President and Mary Hazen the director for the Blue Star Highway Markers from Belle Chase will all attend. Rose Anders will sing the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America. Colleen Scott will declare the dedication, Peggy Dunn a poem and Sam Dileo will have a speech (none of which are long) and Blake Daniels will play Taps. Refreshments will be served after the ceremony. I asked all members to attend and I intend to speak at the Veterans luncheon at the recreation center to invite all veterans and their families for this celebration on Veterans Day. Carolyn then asked if there was any old business that needed to be announced. Glenda Nelson talked about the Keep Hammond Beautiful group that really needs some support from our club. They meet at some area of Hammond, the parks, a particular street or neighborhood and proceed to pick up the trash just like the Cleanest City folks do but they do it 10 months out of the year skipping only when it's really hot! If you possibly can, please help out this really worthy group doing a great job of trying to keep our city clean. We have been busy as little bees (I use that term very loosely) and the holiday season is upon us where we will be even busier! Hope everyone gets out to vote, its so very important! God bless our nation, we really need Him back with us! The Hammond Garden Club is a proud member of the District VI Garden Club Federation and the Deep South Region of the National Garden Clubs doing our best to unify and beautify our homes, gardens, our city and our nation every day to the best of our ability. God Bless America!!! by Linda Broussard she is a member of the Hammond Garden Club |
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